Norio Ohga (大賀典雄 Ōga Norio, otherwise spelt Norio Oga, born January 29,1930) is a Japanese electronics businessman who originally trained as an opera singer. After being dissatisfied with the low quality of a Sony Corporation tape recorder, he sent a critical letter to the company that resulted in his being offered a job, and he rose through the company's management. He was made the president of Sony in 1982. He was made the CEO of Sony Corporation in 1989.
In 1994 he succeeded co-founder Akio Morita as Sony chairman. The next year he selected Nobuyuki Idei as the company's next president, a decision he later told author John Nathan appalled 99 out of 100 people at the company, and it led to a sweeping reorganization of the company. It is however generally considered a successful choice, and Idei became Co-CEO with Ohga in 1998, and sole CEO in 1999.
In 2000 he became semi-retired, staying Chairman of the Board while Idei became Executive Chairman, and on his 73rd birthday in 2003 Ohga retired from the board and became Honorary Chairman.
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Last updated: 10-13-2005 14:51:42
